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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Simon Coyle

'Pa, we are all so proud of you' - Prince William's touching tribute to father King Charles at Coronation Concert

Prince William paid a touching tribute to his father King Charles telling the newly crowned monarch 'pa, we are all so proud of you'.

The Prince of Wales appeared on stage during the Coronation Concert to address the crowds at Windsor Castle.

During his speech William made a sweet reference to his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth saying: “I know she’s up there, fondly keeping an eye on us.” Addressing his father William added: “She would be a very proud mother.”

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William, a future king himself, praised the King’s decades of service, his campaigning on green issues, Prince’s Trust charity and his celebration of diversity and support for people of all backgrounds, communities and faiths.

He also thanked the millions who serve in the military, schools, NHS and local communities, saying: “I commit myself to serve you all. King, country and Commonwealth.”

In his final comments, William told the King: “Pa, we are all so proud of you. I also want to express my pride and gratitude for the millions of people who serve, in the forces, in classrooms, hospital wards and local communities.

“I wish I could mention you all. Your service inspires us. And tonight we celebrate you too. I commit myself to serve you all. King, country and Commonwealth. God save the King!”

Prince William appeared at the Coronation Concert which was broadcast live on BBC One. Those performing include Take That, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry.

Prince William's tribute in full to King Charles

“Good evening Your Majesties. Good evening Windsor!

“A huge thank you to everyone for making this such a special evening.

“I want to say a few words about my father, and why I believe this weekend is so important.

“But don’t worry, unlike Lionel, I won’t go on all night long.

“As my grandmother said when she was crowned, coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future.

“And I know she’s up there, fondly keeping an eye on us. And she would be a very proud mother.

“For all that celebrations are magnificent, at the heart of the pageantry is a simple message: Service.

“My father’s first words on entering Westminster Abbey yesterday were a pledge of service.

“It was a pledge to continue to serve.

“Because for over 50 years, in every corner of the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world, he has dedicated himself to serve others, both current and future generations, and those whose memory must not be neglected.

“Take the natural world. He warned us of the risks to our planet’s health long before it was an everyday issue.

“Or the Prince’s Trust. It has supported over a million young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to realise their ambitions.

“And, perhaps most importantly of all, my father has always understood that people of all faiths, all backgrounds, and all communities, deserve to be celebrated and supported.

“Pa, we are all so proud of you.

“I also want to express my pride and gratitude for the millions of people who serve, in the forces, in classrooms, hospital wards and local communities.

“I wish I could mention you all. Your service inspires us. And tonight we celebrate you too.

“I commit myself to serve you all. King, country and Commonwealth.

“God save the King!”

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